Hobart Herd Devotional – Psalms 52
In order to understand the background of this Psalm, you need to read 1 Samuel 21-22. This is the story of David going to the town of Nob, where the priests lived and asking Ahimelech the priest for food. Ahimelech had nothing but the bread from the tabernacle that was replaced daily to give David. So he gave David the bread and blessed him before the Lord. Doeg, the Edomite witnessed this and brought the word to King Saul. Saul then went and had Doeg kill Ahimelech and his whole family and wipe out the town of Nob. Only Abiathar, a son of Ahimelech fled and was saved. He then joined David’s followers and became an important priest who set Solomon on the throne of David when David was on his death bed.
The first four verses describe the man Doeg and his betrayal of David to Saul. He was a man with a deceitful tongue of evil; and a heart that loved evil and riches instead of loving God and righteousness. Psalms 52:1 Why do you boast in evil, O mighty man? The lovingkindness of God {endures} all day long.(NAS) This verse sets the stage and the argument for the whole Psalm. Man may boast in evil and seem to gain riches by his deceitful and lying tongue, but the God of lovingkindness endures and is around to see that the righteous are rewarded and the evil are brought to justice. We need to be reminded of this today as the cry for justice resounds throughout our nation and the world. In the end, the God of lovingkindness and justice will prevail!
The key verses for me are the last verses of this Psalm; 8 But as for me, I am like a green olive tree in the house of God; I trust in the lovingkindness of God forever and ever. 9 I will give Thee thanks forever, because Thou hast done {it} and I will wait on Thy name, for {it is} good, in the presence of Thy godly ones.(NAS) We need to trust and stand strong in the lovingkindness of our eternal God. We can wait in assurance that He will provide the victory over evil and bring His love, righteousness and strength to His “godly ones”. We need to wait in faith on the victory that is ours in the Lord’s name.
Father, we feel betrayed by this world, and those we thought we could trust. But we will trust in Your name and ability to deliver and bring justice. Even when it costs lives we know that the God of eternity has it in control. We praise You for Your lovingkindness and righteous justice looking forward to the day when You make all things right and new. Our faith is in You and Your name will carry us through! In Jesus Name, Amen! Pastor Rob